Union federation lists strike successes
21 July 2008
In an assessment of the one-hour warning strike last month the CMKOS trade union confederation notes the government is delaying and amending some of its planned health and public sector reforms. In particular, the confederation says that there has been a moderation of proposals on health care fees; the division of planned health care reforms into two phases giving unions more time to influence them; a strengthening the system of pension insurance; and increased possibilities for early retirement. Public opinion polls showed 60%-70% of the public supporting the confederation’s aims and that the strike has strengthened the position of the trade unions in their campaign against the government’s privatisation, pensions and labour code reforms.
Read more at > CMKOS (EN)
Widespread support for national strike
8 July 2008
The CMKOS trade union confederation was delighted at the level of support for the one-hour strike on 24 June. It estimated that over one million workers took part with those in the health service and public administration joined by employees in the transport sector and across industry. The strike was in protest at a wide range of government policies including public sector pay, privatisation and pensions.
Read more at > CMKOS (EN)
And at > Radio Prague (EN)
Unions organise one-hour national warning strike
23 June 2008
Private and public sector unions are supporting a one-hour national work stoppage on 24 June in protest at government policies on public finance, pensions and public sector pay. The demonstration will also highlight cuts in education and the threat posed to the healthcare system from under-funding and privatisation.
Read more at > CMKOS (EN)
And at > Prague Monitor (EN)
Sharp differences in earnings growth across public services
6 June 2008
The latest figures from the Czech statistics agency show a significant gap in earnings growth between sectors with the electricity, gas and water industries recording the highest increase at 18.2% compared to the first quarter of 2007. In contrast the lowest increases were in public administration (3.0%) and health and social services (5.3%). With inflation over the period at 7.4% this means that real earnings growth in the utilities was 10.8% while public administration and health saw real earnings decline by 4.4% and 2.1% respectively.
Read more at > Czech statistics agency (EN)
Public administration wage rises ahead of other sectors
15 May 2006
The industrial relations observatory EIRO reports that salary increases in the Czech Republic slowed last year to 5.5% (3.5% in real terms), the lowest increase since the country was formed in 1992. This is at a time when economic growth is at historically high levels. Increases in the public sector, at 6.7%, were higher than the private sector’s 3.2% and public administration and defence recorded the highest increase of any sector at 8.9%.
Read more at > EIRO
Unions rally behind labour law changes
9 December 2005
Public service unions joined a national rally at the end of November in support of changes to the Czech labour code. Although unions are not happy with everything in the new code they were keen to show their opposition to employers who are calling for major changes to the legislation. Employers are looking for reforms which would make it easier to sack workers and to undermine trade unions.
Read more at > CMKOS
And at > Radio Prague
And at > EIRO
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